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Grittyville, WA

Pumpkins are getting big now so gains are getting smaller. If you need a way to get accurate growth, here is an idea:

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=319885

I find this method, if done carefully, can be accurate to within just +or- 1/8 of an inch... even on a much larger pumpkin you should be able to get surprisingly accurate growth measurements.

8/29/2020 1:35:22 AM

Grittyville, WA

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=319886

My next post shows the crimp better and how well the growth can be measured.

8/29/2020 1:38:25 AM

Syracuse, NY

G.Kins - impress the hell outta me and use a tailor's measuring tape instead of the string - see about one that is like a belt buckle, that will always stay in line, yet show the actual inches progressing - make sense? go for it---eg

8/29/2020 10:02:01 AM

Grittyville, WA

I have one but I am using it to measure th tomatoes and watermelons. It goes to 60 inches. I guess some people do use the 144 inch ones, and Bubba had one that was taped together with another one. The braided poly line is disposable and cheap. The point of it is you can crimp it and have a permanent record of the growth. I think you could do that with the tailor's measure too if you can get those at a disposable price. I just dont want to have to record everything in a notebook it's very tedious especially once you are measuring multiple pumpkins.

8/29/2020 11:39:33 AM

Syracuse, NY

'kay, Boss - i didn't even know if anyone had done it before; main thing is the line around the pumpkin, i guess, like a tan line; ha! i am remembering now the recordkeeping i used to do at about 3 years in - ahhh, memories! i'll have a look around to see who's done it with the printed tape as well - you COULD mark it with a super-indelible marker tip also; great idea, though! later--eg

8/29/2020 11:52:43 AM

valtierra/spain

I make two marks, on top of the pumpkin. between one mark and the other approximately 40 inches. So I measure these two marks every day, it is not necessary to measure the all pumpkin. You know if the pumpkin is still growing or not, and if the foliar treatments, or whatever you do, work well.
If it has grown half an inch, the following formula is made
Actual pumpkin measurement x 1/2 inch / divided by the measurement between mark and mark (40 inches or whatever each day). It is perfect, because it perfectly matches the growth.

8/29/2020 3:49:11 PM

Syracuse, NY

Having tried to figure it out and being too long-winded in my own understanding, i thought to mention that probably the best place to put the marks would be at the very top of each end of the pumpkin as it turns downward, like a boat over a waterfalls, because that is where the MOST length between the marks would occur - there may still be a change in the height of the fruit BELOW the marks TO the ground as well, but only in the early growth stage of the fruit anyway. either weigh, lol, i hope i have a fruit on the 2003 Haist that is E to E at least 40 inches!
Thanks---eg

8/29/2020 5:28:36 PM

Grittyville, WA

Thank Rmen. Very clever. Either way ... just a little bit of math can save physical effort. I admire your growing btw!

8/30/2020 4:28:12 PM